Centre honours former principal CORNISH College founding principal Kerry Bolger had the honour of opening a building named in his honour, Friday. Mr Bolger retired at the end of last year and the students were said to be looking forward to welcoming him back to celebrate the opening. The Kerry Bolger Centre houses years 4, 5 and 6 students, with two classrooms per year level, as well as breakout spaces. It was dedicated by The Reverend Dr Robert Johnson, chair of the Cornish College Council. The centre is part of a broader building program at the Bangholme school. These include new science classrooms, library, and reception and administration areas. The Parents’ Association replaced ovens in the home economics room. Future developments will include a
Desk jockeys: Greater City of Dandenong Cr Angela Long, left, Adam Van Wyk, Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson, Gemma Wildermuth, Principal Vicki Steer, Sophie Rolls, Kerry Bolger, Aaron Marrone and Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus at Cornish College. Picture: Yanni
senior learning centre for years 10 to 12, a middle school wing for years 7 to 9 and re-development of the arts, drama and music facilities.
River bridge works begin KINGSTON Council will begin major works this month on a $750,000 to upgrade the Wells Rd Bridge over Patterson River. The project includes strengthening of the substructure underneath the bridge, repainting of corrosion protection, resealing of the road, new line markings, routine repairs and a new set of crash barriers may also be installed if found to be necessary. Kingston mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said the project was part of council’s $12million infrastructure capital works program to maintain and upgrade vital community infrastructure. “The Wells Rd Bridge provides a vital transport route over the Patterson River and this project will ensure this vital piece of infrastructure continues to serve the community for decades to come,” Cr Bearsley said. Council city assets and environment general manager Daniel Freer said as part of the works, the load limit signage for the bridge will also
be amended to more accurately reflect the bridge’s capacity. “In preparations for the works, council officers researched the history of the bridge and found that it had been historically designated a 6 tonne capacity bridge by the former Country Roads Board,” Mr Freer said. “The bridge can in fact safely accommodate much greater loads and council will update the signage to a 24 tonne load limit. This will allow buses and council’s waste collection trucks to use the bridge but will still prohibit large semi-trailers from using the area.” The first stage of the bridge upgrade works are expected to begin in early March and will take several weeks. Traffic across the bridge will not be impacted during this stage. The second stage of works, including the new road surface and line markings, is expected to take place later in the year and will include some traffic disruptions.
FILM buffs young and old are invited to join an innovative film project to build positive links across the generations. Kingston residents aged from 14 right through to their 90s can take part in the 5th annual Kingston Intergenerational Project bringing young people and seniors together with a professional filmmaker to capture unique stories on film. Participants will develop skills in digital technology, filmmaking and story collecting, attend free workshops on writing screen plays, cast-
ing, directing, sound recording, editing and more. Workshops are in April and May on alternating Monday and Tuesday afternoons at Kingston Youth Services office at Southland. A series of short films will be created during the project and screened at the Shirley Burke Theatre in Parkdale on 17 October 2016. See kingston.vic.gov.au/intergenerational or call Kingston Youth Services on 1300 369 436 for more details. Applications close Thursday 10 March.
Councillors face renewed scrutiny Grab a starring films role NEW laws introduced by the Labor state government to strengthen council governance and crack down on councillors doing the wrong thing are now in force. Under amendments to the Local Government Act passed last year, councils now have greater authority to deal with councillor misconduct internally – including improved procedures to address alleged code of conduct breaches. The changes provide a clear process for dealing with misconduct and empower councils and the Minister for Local Government to take action
against councillors doing the wrong thing. Allegations of misconduct and serious misconduct will be dealt with by independent Councillor Conduct Panels, which will have the power to suspend councillors for up to six months. “The majority of councillors do the right thing, but in the rare cases when one bad apple does the wrong thing it is important that we have quick and robust processes in place to deal with misconduct,” Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said. In extreme cases of poor behaviour, the Minister can now also recommend
a councillor be stood down if the councillor has been accused of serious or gross misconduct and a panel or VCAT hearing is pending, the councillor’s behaviour represents a threat to health and safety, is preventing council from performing its functions, or is inconsistent with the role of councillor or a municipal monitor recommends the Minister stand the councillor down. Councillors still have a right of appeal to VCAT but can no longer bypass Councillor Conduct Panels and have hearings moved to VCAT, before a final decision is made.
In appreciation of carers and parents of people with a disability
Caring for Carers Expo
9am - 4 pm Saturday 9th April 2016 Raff e le pr ric ! p t izes e ∙ Learn more about NDIS and how it will affect you ∙ & Tick LUSIVE Give INC awa L ∙ Jeanette Purkis, Autism Advocate, sharing her story ∙ L A ys! First ∙ Display booths show-casing special needs products & services ∙ y l on 5 0 0 ance peopl ∙ Morning tea and lunch provided ∙ 2 e $ thro adv W! ugh t ∙ Reiki, card readings, group meditation, massage and more... ∙ n i door O h aid get a e if p OK N Gateway Performing Arts Centre, 14 Heversham Drive, Seaford Giftb ag! Find out more and book your tickets on our Facebook page SASI.Autism or go to www.sasi.org.au/events.html BO
New generation TOP-UP hearing aids now FREE* Eligible pensioners and veterans are entitled to FREE hearing aids through the government’s hearing services scheme*, or they can pay extra (TOP-UP) for hearing aids with additional or more advanced features or for a smaller size. As an EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER, Hidden Hearing is providing eligible pensioners and veterans
with certain TOP-UP hearing aids incorporating the latest generation technology FREE OF CHARGE until the END OF APRIL. The choice is yours, either a discreet deep canal aid or a miniature receiver in canal aid. In both cases the aids will be small and discreet, and programmed to your specific hearing levels and unique personal needs. www.hiddenhearing.com.au
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 2 March 2016
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